Historical Narrative
Native American Girl
“Do not scratch, Aquene.” Mother hisses from the other side of our home. “That is unless you want to go back into the sweat lodge.” Mother always knew how to threaten me with the thing I hated the most. My skin feels like it is burning hotter than the sun and all I want to do is itch, but when I do mother puts me in the sweat lodge. In there I can barley breathe because willow bark is steamed in order to make me feel better and to ward off the evil animal spirits that have given me these red bumps. I never knew my own skin could feel so foreign. A few days ago I only had a fever, but then these spots started to rise up all over my skin. My family constantly prays for me to not have the same illness father and grandfather had, but really I think I’ll be fine, as long as these spots go away. What are the spots on Aquene’s body? What illness does she probably have? I just hope I’m feeling better before we have to move south to a place the white man calls Oklahoma. He says that our land is now his, and we must find new land to live on. My goal is to get well enough where mother does not have to take care of me. We move south tomorrow and I am sad that we have to leave, but at the same time excited to go on a new adventure. Did your family ever have to move to a different state? What were some things you were feeling about moving?
Aquene is my name. It means peace. My name is not only what I am called, but it is also symbolic of something my ancestors have been seeking for many moons. My family and I are part of the mighty Huron tribe that once thrived on the rich land around the East coast of Michigan. What Michigan landmark is named in honor of the Huron tribe? Why? Today, we suffer together. Many of our people are becoming sick and blaming the red dots on the French fur traders and missionaries that come into our villages. Some of my people believe that the red dots are from animal spirits that are angry with us for taking their fur and trading it. Not only that, but my people have also been at war with the neighboring Iroquois tribe. Along with the white man, the Iroquois seek our fur bearing animals. They want the beaver’s fur in order to trade the white man for guns, liquor, and metal tools. However, my people have already learned that the white man does not want to keep promises and treaties for very long. When we move, we won’t have to worry about going to war. Maybe Oklahoma will bring my people peace.
Things were not always this way. My people have lived on this land before anyone of my ancestors can remember. Before he got the red dots too, Grandfather would speak of the days Huron traders would paddle away from villages in birch bark canoes. The canoes would be filled with corn and tobacco and the warriors would return with fine metal goods and exciting stories from distant places. Like we do now, my ancestors lived in long houses covered with elm bark while the villages were surrounded with log walls. We called ourselves Wendat, which means the people of the peninsula. The French fur traders gave us the name “Huron” because it means “wild boar” in their language. They thought the mohawk haircuts of the warriors of my tribe looked like the bristles of the wild boar’s hair. Ever since then the name Huron stuck with us. During these happy times, my people would catch bears and fatten them up for special occasions. We would also hunt deer for food and their skin was made into clothing, moccasins, rope, and other useful items. We never wasted anything and used all of nature’s gifts with respect and gratitude. If we killed a moose for instance, we would use every part of his body and pay respect to him by having a ceremony in his honor.
“Aquene!” Mama screeched. “One more time and I’m taking your corn husk doll away and locking you in the sweat lodge for an entire day!” Geesh, mama runs a tight household. You would think that with all the packing she must do, she wouldn’t have time to see me itching my red bumps. I feel like she can always see me, like the mighty eagle looking down on the mouse as it attempts to scurry away. Throughout my people, the women take care of the family, farming and vote on which male gets to be chief of our tribe. Mama takes her role very seriously, especially after Papa got these red bumps. When Papa was alive, he would hunt, and go to battle if needed. He could have also become a chief, but only the women could have voted him in, not other males. Can you think of a different time in history where only men could vote and women could not? What are the laws on voting today? Why?
Once the white man began to come to my land on floating wooden islands, things changed for us. What is the "floating wooden island" Aquene is talking about? We become concerned with finding the Beaver for his fur and trading it with the white man, not paying respect to the beaver. What is a limited resource? What is the limited resource in Aquene's community? Can you share an example of things we use today that might not be here tomorrrow? He then takes the fur to faraway lands and makes silly tall hats out of the Beaver. The white man wears these hats even if it is hot outside. He doesn’t wear them because he’s cold, but for status.
My people believe the land we live on is borrowed from the Earth and individuals do not “own” land, we share it. Once the white man began taking the beaver’s fur he also started telling us to leave our homes because it belonged to him now. I don’t know what will happen to me, or my family. I don’t know if Oklahoma will be a good place for us to live. I think that if my people praise the spirits and ask for forgiveness from the animals, then we will stop getting the red bumps and we will profit greatly in Oklahoma. Mama says I must rest now. Tomorrow will be an exciting day, full of adventure. What part of the story can you relate to the most? Why?
Aquene is my name. It means peace. My name is not only what I am called, but it is also symbolic of something my ancestors have been seeking for many moons. My family and I are part of the mighty Huron tribe that once thrived on the rich land around the East coast of Michigan. What Michigan landmark is named in honor of the Huron tribe? Why? Today, we suffer together. Many of our people are becoming sick and blaming the red dots on the French fur traders and missionaries that come into our villages. Some of my people believe that the red dots are from animal spirits that are angry with us for taking their fur and trading it. Not only that, but my people have also been at war with the neighboring Iroquois tribe. Along with the white man, the Iroquois seek our fur bearing animals. They want the beaver’s fur in order to trade the white man for guns, liquor, and metal tools. However, my people have already learned that the white man does not want to keep promises and treaties for very long. When we move, we won’t have to worry about going to war. Maybe Oklahoma will bring my people peace.
Things were not always this way. My people have lived on this land before anyone of my ancestors can remember. Before he got the red dots too, Grandfather would speak of the days Huron traders would paddle away from villages in birch bark canoes. The canoes would be filled with corn and tobacco and the warriors would return with fine metal goods and exciting stories from distant places. Like we do now, my ancestors lived in long houses covered with elm bark while the villages were surrounded with log walls. We called ourselves Wendat, which means the people of the peninsula. The French fur traders gave us the name “Huron” because it means “wild boar” in their language. They thought the mohawk haircuts of the warriors of my tribe looked like the bristles of the wild boar’s hair. Ever since then the name Huron stuck with us. During these happy times, my people would catch bears and fatten them up for special occasions. We would also hunt deer for food and their skin was made into clothing, moccasins, rope, and other useful items. We never wasted anything and used all of nature’s gifts with respect and gratitude. If we killed a moose for instance, we would use every part of his body and pay respect to him by having a ceremony in his honor.
“Aquene!” Mama screeched. “One more time and I’m taking your corn husk doll away and locking you in the sweat lodge for an entire day!” Geesh, mama runs a tight household. You would think that with all the packing she must do, she wouldn’t have time to see me itching my red bumps. I feel like she can always see me, like the mighty eagle looking down on the mouse as it attempts to scurry away. Throughout my people, the women take care of the family, farming and vote on which male gets to be chief of our tribe. Mama takes her role very seriously, especially after Papa got these red bumps. When Papa was alive, he would hunt, and go to battle if needed. He could have also become a chief, but only the women could have voted him in, not other males. Can you think of a different time in history where only men could vote and women could not? What are the laws on voting today? Why?
Once the white man began to come to my land on floating wooden islands, things changed for us. What is the "floating wooden island" Aquene is talking about? We become concerned with finding the Beaver for his fur and trading it with the white man, not paying respect to the beaver. What is a limited resource? What is the limited resource in Aquene's community? Can you share an example of things we use today that might not be here tomorrrow? He then takes the fur to faraway lands and makes silly tall hats out of the Beaver. The white man wears these hats even if it is hot outside. He doesn’t wear them because he’s cold, but for status.
My people believe the land we live on is borrowed from the Earth and individuals do not “own” land, we share it. Once the white man began taking the beaver’s fur he also started telling us to leave our homes because it belonged to him now. I don’t know what will happen to me, or my family. I don’t know if Oklahoma will be a good place for us to live. I think that if my people praise the spirits and ask for forgiveness from the animals, then we will stop getting the red bumps and we will profit greatly in Oklahoma. Mama says I must rest now. Tomorrow will be an exciting day, full of adventure. What part of the story can you relate to the most? Why?